The gift will enable the organization to provide more visitor amenities and allow for the preservation of natural habitats. Plans call for the creation of themed gardens, lakes, and lagoons that will provide a platform for the plants and cultures of the Caribbean, Central and South America, Asia, and southwest Florida. The garden's site was purchased in 2000 with a $5 million gift from the Kapnick family and foundation.

"This invaluable project will become a cultural cornerstone, a place that connects people and plants while providing educational, aesthetic, even spiritual experiences for people," said Naples Botanical Garden board chair Chuck Berger in a statement. "We hope the public embraces this concept, as so generously have the Kapnicks."